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Miners Live: UTEP falls to UAB 21-6; replay live game chat

Posted:
10/16/2010 05:19:17 PM MDT

UAB cornerback Terrell Springs (29) tackles UTEP's Evan Davis as he carries the ball for 8 yards and first down in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. (AP Photo/ The Birmingham News/ Tamika Moore)

UTEP lost to UAB 21-6 this afternoon in Birmingham, Alabama. Replay our live chat of the game below.

Third quarter update:
UAB's anemic offense finally broke through with a 74-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter and the Blazers led 7-6.

Before that, UTEP's defense was having another outstanding day and the Miners rode it to a 6-0 lead before UAB struck.

The Blazers did put together long bookend drives of more than 60 yards in the first half but missed short field goals early and on the last play of the half.

Offensively, the Miners faced a crisis of a different kind, as third-string center Nathan McCage was injured late in the first half and gave way to starting guard Anthony McNac was warming up on the sidelines.

UTEP did move the ball but twice was stuffed in goal-to-go situations and settled for short Dakota Warren field goals.

Second quarter update:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UTEP defense was having another outstanding day and the Miners rode it to a 3-0 halftime lead over UAB.

The Blazers did put together long bookend drives of more than 60 yards but missed short field goals early and on the last play of the half.

Offensively, the Miners faced a crisis of a different kind, as third-string center Nathan McCage was injured late in the first half. True freshman Jerel Watkins is listed as McCage's backup but the coaches hope to redshirt him. Starting guard Anthony McNac was warming up on the sidelines.

The only score of the half came on a 41-yard field goal drive that reached as far as the UAB 2-yard line before stalling. After a motion penalty and an impcomplete pass the Miners settled for a 24-yard Dakota Warren field goal with 11:53 left in the first quarter.

UAB opened the game well offensively, moving from their 20 to the UTEP 13 before stalling and a 33-yard field goal missed.

The Miners responded by moving to the Blazer 24, but a bad shotgun snap turned a second-and-1 into a third-and-13 and the drive also stalled. However, UTEP made a stand and after a short punt turned good field position into a field goal.

First quarter update:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Each team had a long drive stall in the opponent's territory, but UTEP was marching as the first quarter at UAB ended.

The Blazers moved from their 20 to the UTEP 13 before stalling and a 33-yard field goal missed. The Miners responded by moving to the Blazer 24, but a bad shotgun snap turned a second-and-1 into a third-and-13 and the drive also stalled.

However, UTEP made a stand and after a short punt marched from the UAB 48 to a first-and-10 on the Blazer 18 when the quarter ended.